option

noun

ˈäp-shən How to pronounce option (audio)
Definition of optionnext
1
as in accessory
something that is not necessary in itself but adds to the convenience or performance of the main piece of equipment a slew of options that would add several thousand dollars to the base price of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in choice
the power, right, or opportunity to choose you will have the option to select one of several quite different health insurance plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun option contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of option are alternative, choice, election, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of option?

In some situations, the words alternative and option are roughly equivalent. However, alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When could choice be used to replace option?

The words choice and option are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When is election a more appropriate choice than option?

The meanings of election and option largely overlap; however, election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Where would preference be a reasonable alternative to option?

While the synonyms preference and option are close in meaning, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When would selection be a good substitute for option?

Although the words selection and option have much in common, selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of option There is also concern that not all borrowers know their rights or the options available to help them. —Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Participants can choose from three options based on ability and fitness level. —Debby Rice, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025 European countries, Japan, and other major allies of the United States, along with potential new coalition partners, have several options. —Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 All season, Wolves wing Donte DiVincenzo has preached the power of having both options at the team’s disposal. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for option
Recent Examples of Synonyms for option
  1. accessory
  2. choice
  3. appliance
  4. alternative
  5. add-on
  6. way
Noun
  • The classic Birk marries a cowboy boot (another very of the moment accessory) with this chic pair of sandals.
    — Brie Schwartz, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The company, known for catering to a multigenerational audience with its fairytale aesthetic, ultra-feminine dresses, accessories, fragrances and apparel, doesn’t just land on any street or in any mall.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of accessory
Noun
  • For those not skilled in cooking, baking, or crafting, a bottle of wine may seem like an obvious choice for a host gift.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The 266th pope led with humble demeanor and lived a modest lifestyle — choices that stood in contrast to some previous popes.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of choice
Noun
  • And Jacky Jiang, with the appliance maker Guangdong Kinwing Electric Industrial Co.,Ltd., said his firm got smashed with an avalanche of cancellations when U.S. tariffs hit 125%.
    — Aowen Cao, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Photo : Lukas Scott/Nauset Media The kitchen has been updated with modern appliances.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of appliance
Noun
  • Apple did not believe daily testing for COVID-19 was an adequate alternative to vaccination.
    — Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Once dismissed as a speculative plaything, Bitcoin has matured into a borderless, digital alternative to gold that offers both finite scarcity and functionality.
    — Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of alternative
Noun
  • While Max is just now integrating this add-on feature, other streaming services have had it in place for a while now, including Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu.
    — Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Most designers agree that the deck railing trends for 2025 focus on integrating your home’s outdoor spaces with the architecture of the home and moving away from looking like add-ons.
    — Abid Haque, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of add-on
Noun
  • Parents say private or homeschool is the only way to avoid conflict with religion After various teachers, administrators and parents raised concerns about the effectiveness and age-appropriateness of the books, the school system allowed students to be excused when they were read in class.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • There are many ways world leaders, businesses and consumers are grappling with the growing threat of a global trade war, but perhaps the easiest — and, for some, the most therapeutic — is to rely on dark humor.
    — Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of way

Browse Nearby Words

opting (for)
option
optional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Option.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/option. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on option

Nglish: Translation of option for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about option

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All